K-P health minister warns protesting doctors of strict action

We will not be blackmailed, says Health Minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan

PESHAWAR: Health Minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan has said that the government will not be blackmailed by young doctors.

“Doctors should not play with health of the people,” he said.

Presiding over a meeting of directors of all teaching hospitals of the province, deans of medical colleges, district health officers and agency surgeons of merged districts, he directed to take action against all absent doctors from their duty under the Service Act.

The health minister explained in detail the health reforms government plans to bring in, however refused to give copies of draft stating that it could not be made public until K-P Assembly passes the bill.

Minister reminded that all doctors are public servants and transfers and postings are part of the government service. “We are just trying to bring reforms. No doctor will work under any tehsil coordinator or chairman, nor are we doing any kind of privatisation, if doctors do not perform duty in hospitals, will we run the healthcare services from remote control,” he said.

Hisham advised doctors to refrain from politics. “If you want to play politics, then resign from government service and come in to politics,” the minister said warning that strict action will be taken against doctors.

The minister said the government was answerable to the people and responsible to providing services, adding if the doctors did not want to perform their duty they should start some other jobs as the government would not allow them to take part in such illegal practices in "New Pakistan".

Doctors hold rally despite warning

Despite warnings from the government, large number of doctors protested on the streets of Peshawar.

The rally starting from Lady Reading Hospital came on Khyber-Road where doctors staged a sit-in in front of the K-P Assembly under the banner of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Doctors Council.

Traffic on the thoroughfare remained suspended for several hours, however, administration kept a soft approach and police stayed at a safe distance.

Opposition members coming out from the session also joined the protesting doctors to express solidarity. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called on telephone and told the protestors that he and his party stands with doctors for their just demands.

The protesting doctors dispersed peacefully on the assurance that a parliamentary committee has been formed to resolve their issues. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2019.